Method and apparatus for handling compressed air

ABSTRACT

A vapor forming device may be used as an air lubricator which has an inlet and an outlet and oil is stored in a reservoir defined by a lube bowl and the air chamber housing. To pass, the air must move a float, which builds up back pressure transmitted to an impact tube to an adjustable pressurizing valve, which when opened permits air to flow down an air feed tube to which is attached a large adjustable, vapor generator tube. Air enters the vapor generator tube through a small passage and oil enters the generator tube through a small hole. The air and oil mix into a foam which has a lower average specific gravity than the oil and is thus forced up into the tube. At the mouth of the vapor generator tube the foam breaks up and disperses into a shower of small droplets ranging upward from a few microns to several hundred microns in size. Air leaves the oil reservoir through a take-off tube one end of which projects above the surface of the oil in the reservoir and the other end being located in a low pressure zone of an outlet. The device may be made two-stage with air lift pumps and a stand pipe. Another form uses a vibrating reed to separate the air and shatter the oil droplets.

United States Patent Wheeler, Jr.

[451 Apr. 4, 1972 I 54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING COMPRESSED AIR [72] Inventor: Harry L. Wheeler, Jr., 1538 Huntingdon Trail, Dunwoody, Ga. 30338 22 Filedz July3l,l969

[21] Appl.No.: 846,339

{52] U.S.Cl ..184/55 A,55/277,261/78A [51] lnt.Cl ..F0lm l/08,Fl6n 7/34 [58] Field of Search ..261/76, 77, 78; 184/55, 55 A, 184/56 A, 62; 55/277 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,367,721 1/1945 Gothberg et al. ..184/55 2,442,777 6/1948 Norgren 2,850,323 9/1958 Veres ..184/55 A 2,857,982 10/1958 Schwartz ..184/55 A 3,023,849 3/1962 Tine ..184/55 2,369,020 2/1945 Clark ..55/277 2,913,234 11/1959 Beaurline... ..184/55 A X 3,461,651 8/1969 Van Ingen ..55/277 A X Primary ExaminerManuel A. Antonakas Attorney-Patrick F. Henry [5 7] ABSTRACT A vapor forming device may be used as an air lubricator which has an inlet and an outlet and oil is stored in a reservoir defined by a lube bowl and the air chamber housing. To pass, the air must move a float, which builds up back pressure transmitted to an impact tube to an adjustable pressurizing valve, which when opened permits air to flow down an air feed tube to which is attached a large adjustable, vapor generator tube. Air enters the vapor generator tube through a small passage and oil enters the generator tube through a small hole. The air and oil mix into a foam which has a lower average specific gravity than the oil and is thus forced up into the tube. At the mouth of the vapor generator tube the foam breaks up and disperses into a shower of small droplets ranging upward from a few microns to several hundred microns in size. Air leaves the oil reservoir through a take-off tube one end of which pro- 14 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures Patented April 4, 1972 3,653,465

4 Sheets-81196112 I I I 12mm 2. ilkzamjg Patented April 4, 1972 3,653,465

4 Sheets-Sheet f5 HAKRXLZWEQM CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION Application for United States Letters Patent Ser. No. 734,664 by Harry L. Wheeler, Jr., filed June 5, 1968, for SELECTIVE FILTER, REGULATOR AND LUBRICATOR COMPONENT ARRANGEMENT FOR AIR LINES." now U.S. Pat. No. 3,559,764.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Inventions Field of the invention is a combination of a lubricator, pressure regulator, and a filter, selectively, to be used as desired in conjunction with compressed air lines.

2. Description of the Prior Art Prior art is listed in the above noted related application.

Proper preparation of compressed air for driving power tools and actuating cylinders normally requires that the air be filtered, the pressure stabilized and on an occasion the small amount of lubricant, in the form of oil mist, added. A pneumatic system filter must only only remove all solid contaminate and sludges which might damage the consuming equipment, but should also remove as much entrained, suspended or vaporized water as possible. Desirably the pressure regulator should be able to take in air at the constantly fluctuating pressure typical of most pneumatic systems, and deliver it to the utilizing section of the system at a constant pressure. The lubricator should add oil in the form of a fine aerosol mist in a constant and pre-set proportion to the air flow rate. The amount of lubrication which is injected into the air stream by the present device is controlled in two ways: (1) The generator tube may be moved totally away from the takeoff tube, and (2) A pressurizing valve determines the pumping activity. The present lubricator tends to compensate for changes in air flow so that once set, the air-oil mixture ratio remains within a roughly constant range, which is something not done by the prior art lubricators.

Also, while some of the lubricators cannot be filled while the pneumatic system is fully pressurized, this is not true of the present lubricator which can be filled by unscrewing some of the parts and there is a check valve to prevent air from returning to the bowl. In certain other air line lubricators or vapor injection pumps in which air having passed through a controlled valve is metered into a vapor generator, sometimes if the oil level in the oil reservoir is in a certain condition the oil is forced by gravity to seep through a port and fill both the vapor generator and the air inlet tube. If a demand for air takes place the entire vapor generator must be purged of oil before vaporizing can commence. For a short duration air pulses, a lubricator cannot supply sufficient vapor to assure downstream lubrication of the air-driven complex. These problems were solved with the present two-stage device where the level of oil in the cup is maintained at a constant value and the amount of vapor produced by a secondary pump will remain constant. There are two pumps in operation during a period of continuous air consumption and the activity of the secondary pump will decrease, but vapor produced by the primary pump will off-set the loss of activity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a lubricator the mixing of air and oil into a foam which has a lower average specific gravity than the oil and is thus forced up into a tube at the mouth of which the foam breaks up and disperses into a shower of small droplets. The heavier droplets fall back into the oil while the lighter ones circulate about the air space above the oil. The lubricator includes the reservoir, a float means, a pressurizing valve, a down air feed tube, a larger vapor generating tube and considerable connections there between.

A two-stage lubricator consisting of a head having an air passage, a stand pipe, a pair of airlift pumps, one being a primary pump and one being a secondary pump, and means to control the amount of air entering the secondary and the primary pump, which may be in the form of needle valves. The method employed includes backing up air to cause it to enter a central stand pipe to pressurize the entire lubricator pump system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a combined filter, pressure regulator, and lubricator, including in cross-section the modified multi-spring regulator.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 2-2 in FIG. 1. 7

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of one form of a lubricator.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a separation chamber arrangement for handling water in the compressed air lines.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the inside cylinder in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the device shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the device shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a two-stage lubricator device which may be used in place of the lubricator shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is an end elevation view of the spring bonnet.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of another form of vaporizer which may be used as a lubricator.

FIG. 11 is an elevation view of the vaporizing pump of the vaporizer in FIG. 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, air enters a combined filter, pressure regulator and lubricator device designated generally by reference numeral 10 through an inlet port 11 and strikes a deflector 12 which turns the air downward and imparts a strong whirling motion. This transition should take place very smoothly, since the creation of any turbulence will tend to shatter the water droplets being carried with the air. Centrifugal action forces the suspended or entrained water droplets out against the wall of the filter bowl I3 and the spiraling air moves downward carrying the water with it until it encounters the non-absorbent porous diaphragm 14. The diaphragm 14 disperses the water immediately and transmit it into a sump 15, where it is collected for later discharge and through a drain 16. The air returns upward through the center of the downward moving vortex and passes out of the filter assembly through filter element 17. Sometimes other arrangements tend to shatter large water droplets at high rates of air flow with the result that the smaller droplets so formed were then carried upward in the air-stream through the filter element and on into the pneumatic system.

Air enters the pressure regulator housing 18 through an inlet 19. A valve 21 has an area greater than a piston 22 and if there is no load in the pressure spring arrangement 20, to be described later, the pressure in the plenum chamber forces the valve 21 to close. This is called a differential closing force. A further closing force is provided by a spring means in case the air pressure present is not sufficient to actuate the valve against the friction.

If a load is applied to a spring arrangement 20 by means of rotation of an adjustment screw 23, the valve 21 will open. Air will then flow through the valve as indicated by the arrows and into the outlet plenum 24. The pressure in the outlet plenum 24 is transmitted through an eductor tube 25 and a passage 26 to the diaphragm chamber 27. This pressure will continue to rise until the force on the diaphragm 27 compresses the spring means in the proper direction sufficiently to allow the valve 21 acting under the differential closing force, to shut off flow. If there is no further leakage or demand for air, the valve 21 will remain closed.

If for any reason the pressure in the outlet plenum 24 increases above the value established by the spring arrangement 20, the diaphragm 27' will move to the right against the spring means and away from the valve stem 28 and open a relief valve 29, thereby allowing the excess pressure to escape through a hole in a bonnet 30. If it is desired to increase the pressure, rotation of the adjustment screw 23 and further compression of the spring means will force the valve 21 open allowing the air to again flow into the outlet plenum 24. If air to demanded, the pressure in the outlet plenum 24 will drop and valve 21 will open under the force of the spring arrangement. The valve will stay open until the pressure in the diaphragm chamber 27 again is sufficient to force the spring to the right and close the valve.

The purpose of an eductor tube 25 is as follows:

Assume the spring means has been adjusted so that a certain air pressure is established in the system with no flow. When the flow is initiated, pressure in chamber 27 will drop and the valve 21 will open. Movement of the valve 21 to the left will allow adjustment of spring means 20 so that it exerts less force. When equilibrium between the air pressure in chamber 27 and the spring means 20 is again reached, it will be at a lower level than was originally established. By placing the mouth of the eductor tube in the area of low pressure at the exit passage, pressure in the diaphragm chamber 27 will be lower than the average pressure of the air in the outlet plenum and therefore will reach equilibrium with the spring means 20 while the pressure in the outlet plenum is still close to the noflow valve.

SPRING MEANS 20 A bonnet 50 is reduced in length from the conventional bonnet in most pressure regulators and has eight equally spaced holes 51 around a central thread hole. The shortened bonnet 50 surrounds a pressure plate 48. In place of a conventional single coiled spring, eight smaller springs 52 are inserted into the equally spaced holes in bonnet 50 and bear against a pressure plate 48. An upper spring plate 54 bears against the other end of springs 52. Plate 54 contains two guide pins 56 inserted into the inside diameter of the springs 52 to keep the pressure plate from rotating. An adjusting screw 58 is threaded into the central hole of bonnet 50 and bears against the spring plate 54 through a thrust washer 60. A decorative handle 62 is cemented to adjusting screw 58 in order to facilitate rotation and to cover the exposed segments of spring 52. Rotation of screw 58 places a load on springs 52 and ultimately against the diaphragm to balance the pressure in chamber 27. A locking mechanism consisting of set screw 64 and bowl 66 is provided in adjusting screw 58 in order to prevent tampering with the adjustment of the screw 58. This locking mechanism is not vital to the invention, nor is the type confined solely to that shown here; however, which is merely a preferred mechanism.

VAPORIZER (LUBRICATOR)FIG. 3

Air enters at port P and air pressure is transmitted to oil reservoir 70 through a small port 71. As the main stream of air moves to the right beyond port 71 it encounters a reed mechanism (vibrating means) similar to that found in a reed instrument like a clarinet and the air divides so that part of it goes under the reed 73 toward exhaust port E and the remainder goes over the reed toward exhaust port E. The air pressure in reservoir 70 forces oil up syphon tube 74 through a valve 75 where it drips into a transparent flow indicator chamber 76. From chamber 76 the oil drips down onto reed 73 which because of its vibration shatters the oil into fine droplets which are then picked up and carried out with the air stream. Auxiliary port 77 with a valving mechanism 78 is provided between the reservoir 70 to outlet port E to adjust the proportionality between the pressure in reservoir 70 and the volume of air entering port P. The actual rate of flow of oil is controlled by valve 75. The device could be used to discharge deodrants, insecticides and antiseptic solutions into room air spaces or to discharge plain water for the purpose of humidifying the air as well as lubricating compressed air.

SINGLE STAGE LUBRICATOR The air lubricator 10 has an inlet 220 and an outlet 222 in a head 223 and oil is stored in a reservoir 224 defined by a lube bowl 225, the head 223, and the air chamber housing 226. To pass, the air must move a float 228, which builds up back pressure transmitted to an impact tube 230, central to a standpipe 231 to a pressurizing valve 232 which when opened permits air to flow across a rotatable transfer sleeve 234 down an air feed tube 236 to which is attached a large vapor generator tube 238. Air enters the vapor generator tube through a small passage 240 and oil enters the vapor generator tube thru a small hole 234. The air and the oil mix into a foam which has a lower average specific gravity than the oil and is thus forced up into the tube 238. At the mouth of the vapor generator tube 238 the foam breaks up and disperses into a shower of small droplets ranging upward from a few microns to several hundred microns in size. Air leaves the oil reservoir thru a take-off tube 244 one end of which projects above the surface of the oil in the reservoir and the other being located in a low pressure zone of an outlet port 222. The departing air carries a considerable amount of oil vapor and droplets and a part of which is discharged into the main air stream as an aerosol mist and the remainder of which is deposited on the walls of the take-off tube 244. The amount of lubrication which is injected into the air stream is controlled in two ways, and adjustment may be made in the generator tube by moving same through rotation of transfer sleeve 234. The second means of control is in the pressurizing valve 232 which determines the pumping activity. Also, while some of the lubricators cannot be filled while the pneumatic system is fully pressurized, this is not true of the present lubricator which can be filled by unscrewing the fill knob 246 and there is a check valve 248 to prevent air from returning to the bowl.

TWO-STAGE LUBRICATOR OR VAPOR INJECTOR PUMP In our previous disclosure herein and in the related application regarding an air line lubricator or vapor injector pump, a device was described wherein air having passed through a controlled valve 232 is metered into a vapor generator 238 which is in effect a small air lift pump. Oil enters the pump through an orifice 242 and is mixed with the air from passage 240 and carried as a foam out of the top of the vapor generator. The bursting bubbles form a shower of fine droplets and vapor which are drawn off into the lubricator discharge through a vent port 244. If the oil level in the oil reservoir 224 is in a certain condition, oil under force of gravity will seep through the port 242 and fill both the vapor generator and the air inlet tube 236. If a demand for air takes place, the entire vapor generator must be purged of oil before vaporizing can commence. For short duration air pulses, the lubricator cannot supply sufficient vapor to assure down-stream lubrication of air driven equipment. If the oil reservoir is deeper the tubes 236 must be lengthened and hence this effect becomes more pronounced. Furthermore, as the oil level changes, the amount of lubrication also varies.

These problems are solved with the two-stage device shown in FIG. 8. The lubricator consists of a head of appropriate size containing a straight through air passage 122. This head 120 forms a lid or cover for oil reservoir 124. Connected to head 120 and communicating with passage 122 is a stand pipe 126 which reaches close to the bottom of reservoir 124. Attached to the stand pipe 126 at a point consistent with the optimum geometry and operation of the lubricator is feed cup 128. Attached to stand pipe 126 are two air lift pumps. One pump 130 called the primary pump is attached near the lower end of the stand pipe 126. This pump passes through and is sealed to the bottom of the feed cup 128. Pump 130 extends to a point even with or slightly above cup 128. The second or secondary pump 132 is attached by suitable means near the top of stand pipe 126 projecting down into and close to the bottom of cup 128. The method of operation of both pumps is similar and has been described above. Means, first control means 134, and second control means 136 are provided to control the amount of air entering the secondary and primary pumps 130, 132 respectively. The needle valves shown here for illustrative purposes, and a variety of suitable valving mechanisms compatible with the geometry and function of the lubricator would serve equally as well.

Air leaves the reservoir air space through outlet port and injector tube 138. The amount of air available to operate both pumps and hence the activity of the entire system will be determined by proportioning valve 140 which creates a drop in pressure between lubricator inlet 142 and outlet 144. The function of the two-stage air line injector is as follows:

Air backed up by manual or automatic proportioning valve 140 enters the central stand pipe 126. This air pressurizes the entire lubricator pump system and reservoir. Air for the primary pump enters the pump through control valve 136, mixes with the oil through entering at port 146 and forms a foam which rises through pump tube 130 spilling oil into cup 128. So long as air flows through the air passage 122 feed cup 128 will be filled with oil to a level determined by port 146 in the side thereof. Air will also enter the secondary pump 132 through control valve 134. This pump will draw oil from cup 128 and create a foam which will fill the reservoir air space 148 with oil vapor and fine droplets. A portion of this vapor will be drawn off with air leaving the reservoir through outlet port 150 from whence it is injected into the main air stream. Actually during operation as described above both the secondary and primary pumps 130, 132 are generating vapor.

If the system has been shut down, stand pipe 126 with pump 130 tube will fill with oil to the level present in the reservoir. Oil will also fill in the pump tube and air tube of secondary pump 132 to the level of oil in cup 128. If air flow is initiated through the passage 122 the pressure created in stand pipe 126 will force the oil out of the air passages or pumps 130 and 132. Since the depth of oil incup 128 is deliberately maintained at a small value, pump 132 will begin to function almost immediately. The volume of the air passages leading to pump 130 and in pump 130 itself is substantial; therefore, some time will elapse before these passages have been cleared. In the meantime, the liquid oil coming out of pump 130 will assure that cup 128 is filled to the maximum level. Since most air power applications are of an intermittent nature, this mechanism assures proper lubrication, even with the briefest air pulses. Furthermore, since the level of oil in cup 128 is maintained at a constant value, the amount of vapor produced by secondary pump 132 will remain constant. When both pumps are in operation as during a period of continuous air consumption, the activity of the secondary pump will decrease but the vapor produces by the primary pump will offset this loss of activity. It is implicit in the operation of this device that the pumping activity of primary pump 130 be greater than the pumping activity of secondary pump 132 so that a constant oil level is maintained in cup 128.

VAPORIZER OR NEBULIZER OF FIG.

The function is that of dispensing liquids into enclosed air spaces in aerosol form, ie. a mist or fog having approximate particle size range of 3 to 25 microns. Fluids to be dispensed would include disinfectants, fungicides, insecticides, deodrants, air purifiers, water (for humidification), beauty preparations, perfumes and a variety of other substances such as simulated odors including food odors, candy odors etc.

The nebulizer is shown in FIG. 10 and in its most general form consists of a plastic bowl 180, a plastic base 182, a center port 183 and a vapor generator assembly 184 with an outlet tube 186. Plastic is the preferred material but metal and glass may be used.

In the top of bowl 180 is a fill plug 188 which can be readily removed and replaced to permit filling of the reservoir space to a specified level with a suitable fluid. The bowl is assembled to the base 182 with a pressure tight seal.

Air is admitted in inlet port from whence it flows down into vaporizer generator 184. The base also contains an outlet port 194 communicating with exhaust tube 186 which reaches up into the air space above the liquid level. The outlet 194 also communicates with inlet passage 192 through a valve 198 which may be controlled from outside the base 182. Air may be supplied by a compressor, small air pump, air tank or other suitable source (not shown). A small electrically driven air pump (not shown) can be built into the base of the device to form a completely self-contained unit.

OPERATION OF FIG. 10 DEVICE Air entering the vaporizer 184 mixes with fluid seeping into the tube 186, through ports 200. Air entering at the bottom of the vaporizer tube breaks up the fluid into a shower of fine droplets and vapor. A small screen 202 placed across the top of the generator 184 prevents large droplets from leaving the generator 184 and tends to further break up the small droplets. A fog of fine droplets and vapor is formed in air space 204 above the liquid level. This fog is being constantly drawn off through exhaust tube 186 and is discharged into the space to be treated through port 194.

To enhance distribution of the vapor and fog into air space, additional or secondary air may be added by opening valve 206. This will increase the velocity of the effluent gases or aersols and will accelerate the diffusion of same into remote areas.

The vaporizing pump 184 consists of a cylindrical tube 208 shown in FIG. 11 which is closed at one end except for a small diameter air tube which extends through the bottom and which has at its tip a small orifice or nozzle 210. Surrounding the nozzle is a small diameter sleeve 212. Slightly below the level of the nozzle 210 will be one or more holes 200, through which the fluid may enter the vapor generator tube 208. In operation: air leaving nozzle 210 at high velocity encounters fluid coming in through ports 200 at a high velocity. The size and number of ports 200 as well as the size and character of nozzle 210 should be carefully coordinated with the viscosity of the fluid and the size of the generator tube 208 in such a manner that the generator is neither starved for fluid nor flooded. This device is a modification of the classical air lift pump. However, the aim here is to divert as much energy as possible into tearing the fluid apart as opposed to actually pumping liquid fluid up the tube 208. In this device, two holes 200 of l-l6 inches diameter are used. Nozzle 210 has a number 56 hole and vapor tube 208 has an inside diameter of l-4 inches. A pressure of from 2 to 20 lbs. may be applied to nozzle 210 depending on the volume of vapor desired as well as the viscosity of the fluid. The pump or vaporizer may be operated in two regimes. At applied pressures up to several inches of water the device operates as an air lift pump thereby insufficient energy available to break the cohesive or surface tension forces of the fluid. Bubbles to form however and when these break a shower of fine droplets and some mist is created. This concentration of aerosol size particles is small as compared with bulk liquid ejected by the pump. At slightly higher pressures the pump ceases to function at all because the volume of air blocks the entrance of oil through ports 200.

If however the applied pressure is increased to a threshold approximately 2 lbs. per m the air jet issuing from nozzle 210 drops the pressure in the vicinity of ports 200 in accordance with Bernoullis law and reenters the pump. The air jet now contains sufficient energy to overcome the cohesive forces in the liquid, producing a high percentage of mist and vapor as compared to the amount of bulk liquid pumped. More viscous fluids seem to work better than watery fluids. A fine screen 202 is cemented across the top of tube 208. This screen turns back large blobs of liquid and appears to break up smaller droplets leaving the generator tube. This rejected liquid returns back down the tube toward the nozzle from whence it is recirculated upward again. The liquid becomes highly aerated by this circulation, which aids in its ultimate break up and discharge as an aersol or vapor.

It is believed that there are a number of fundamental relationships between the physical dimensions of the vapor generator, the size of the ports and nozzle and the screen along with the viscosity of the fluid which determine the particle size and volume of aersol discharged.

This nebulizer offers a particularly inexpensive means by which to create an aerosol especially where a source of compressed air is already available. Specific applications are manifold the dispensing of deodrants, disinfectants and fungicides in hospitals, restaurants, food processing plants, manufacturing plants where nozious odors are created, are obvious uses. Other less obvious applications include green houses, bath room, barnyard, etc.

EXAMPLE Surface tension plays a large part in establishing the rate of aersol or vapor formation under fixed conditions of vapor generator geometry and operating pressures. Water with a surface tension of 76 dynes per cm generates practically no aersol or vapor; but the addition of 25 percent glycerol results in a solution having a surface tension of approximately 72 dynes per cm and produces a strong aersol. A50 percent glycerol solution which has a surface tension of 70 dynes per cm produces about the same amount and nature of aerosol. Viscosities range from 1 centipoise for pure water to 2 cp for the 25 percent solution and 6 cp for the 50 percent solution. Further, it has been shown that the addition of a wetting agent to the water in the amount of 0.01 or less reduces the surface tension sufficiently to accomplish strong vapor and aerosol generation with no discernable change in viscosity.

Oils having high viscosities but very low surface tension produce strong aersols.

The size of the air jet nozzle 210 and vapor tube ports 200 which give best results appear to depend on the viscosity of the working fluid and the size of the generator. There also appears to be an optimum size relation between the air jet and the ports.

The more viscous fluids require larger ports in order to deliver sufficient fluid to the generator. For example, oils require one or more holes of 0.040 to 0.060 inch size. The total area depends on the bore of the generator, viscosity of the oil and available head. Aqueous solutions with lower viscosity permit the use of parts as small as 0.025 which is considered to be about the practical limit from the standpoint of plugging by foreign matter or bubbles.

The amount of energy required to force the fluid through the ports seems to be porportional to the energy expended by the jet to shatter the incoming fluid. Hence, when small ports are used, small jets are used. The figures vary between 0.025 and 0.040. An excess of air blocks the entrance of fluid into the vapor generator while a deficiency does not provide a sufficient amount of energy to break up the fluid and drive the aerosol or vapor out of the generator.

The larger the bore of the generator, the more vapor produced, hence, the large the jet and port must be. The smaller the jet, the more pressure required to force sufficient air through the jet to vaporize the liquid. Hence, within limits, generators may be built for high pressure, low air volume or low pressure and high air volume. This product of pressure and volume remain roughly constant However, pressures must be above the threshold value of 2 p.s.i. As the pressure is increased, the volume or vapor produced also increases until a point is reached at which the pressure back in the generator tube reduces the volume of liquid entering through the ports. After this further increases in pressure, decrease the amount of vapor put out.

While I have shown and described particular embodiments of my inventions and named specific parts and typical applications and examples, this is by way of illustration only and does not limit the invention to particular uses or in any way.

What is claimed:

1. In a vaporizing device comprising a head having:

a. inlet and outlet ports with a first passage communicating therebetween, said first passage having an adjustable restriction between said inlet and outlet ports,

b. a second passage in said head communicating with the first passage and terminating in a port between the said inlet port and the said restriction,

c. a third passage in said head communicating with said first passage and terminating in a port between the said outlet port and the said restriction,

d. a chamber formed in part by said head and defining therewith a fluid reservoir with airspace above the fluid therein,

. an inlet conduit entering said chamber said conduit being in communication with the second passage and having an outlet in the reservoir,

f. means for controlling pressure drop between said second passage and said outlet,

g. an outlet conduit from said chamber being in communication with the third passage and terminating in an inlet port opening in the airspace above the fluid contained in said chamber,

h. a non-axial vaporizer tube disposed vertically in the fluid reservoir extending from a point below the level of the fluid therein to the airspace above the fluid, said vaporizer tube being closed at the lower end,

. an air nozzle entering the bottom of said vaporizer tube, said air nozzle being adjustably connected to the outlet of the inlet conduit at one end and extending a short distance above the interior bottom of the vaporizer tube at the other,

j. one or more passages in the vaporizer tube walls communicating between the reservoir and the interior of said tube terminating in the zone between the interior bottom of the vaporizer tube and the upper end of the air nozzle,

k. means to adjustably support the vaporizer tube such that the open end of said tube may be physically rotated and fixed with respect to the inlet port of the outlet conduit.

2. The device in claim 1, wherein: said restriction in said first passage is fixed.

3. The device in claim 1, wherein: said restriction in said first passage is air pressure and spring controlled.

4. The device in claim 1, wherein:

said chamber is physically separate from said casing and is connected thereto by a means forming extensions of said first, second and third passages.

5. The device in claim 1, wherein:

there is an exhaust tube having a check valve means to prevent movement of air from the third passage into the reservoir airspace.

6. The device in claim 5, wherein: said device has a fill port with a closure thereon, and

the removal of the fill port closure closes the valve means in the inlet conduit.

7. The device in claim 1, wherein the restriction in the first passage causes a pressure drop of about 2 psi but not more than about 20 psi.

8. The device in claim 1, wherein: the restriction in the first passage is a by-pass valve such that the volume of air passing therethrough is substantially greater than the volume of air passing through the second passage.

9. The device in claim 1, wherein the ratio of volume of air passing is about 10 to l.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the fluid is vaporized in the reservoir airspace before being discharged into the main airstream.

11. The device in claim 1, wherein: there are air holes slightly above the fluid in the vaporizer tube in which the air enters at the side near the bottom.

12. The device claimed in claim 1, wherein:

there is a fill port opening into the housing which comprises the fluid reservoir through which fluid may be added and which contains a pressure tight removable closure.

13. The device claimed in claim 1, wherein:

there is an exhaust tube containing check valve means to prevent the movement of air from the casing outlet port into the reservoir air space, a fill port closure, said fill port closure closing said valve means in the inlet standpipe of said reservoir upon removal thereof.

14. In a vaporizing device comprising a head having:

a, inlet and outlet ports with a first passage directly connecting therebetween, said first passage having an adjustable restriction between said ports,

b. a second passage in said head communicating with the first passage ending in a port between the said inlet port and the said restriction,

c. a third passage in said head communicating with said first passage and terminating in a port between the said outlet port and the said restriction,

d. a chamber formed in part by said head and defining therewith a fluid reservoir with airspace above the fluid therein,

. an inlet conduit entering said housing in communication with the second passage and extending toward the bottom of the said reservoir chamber, a portion of said conduit passing thru the said air space, and said conduit having a first valvable opening to the reservoir near the top and a second valvable opening to the reservoir near the bottom, valve means in said first and second valvable openings, an outlet eductor conduit from said housing in communication with the third passage and terminating in an inlet port opening into the air space above said fluid in said chamber,

g. a cup suitably supported in said reservoir opening upward into said airspace and having means therein to define a maximum fluid level,

h. an airlift pump the lower end of which is connected to the second valvable primary opening in said inlet conduit the upper end of which extends into the airspace above the fluid in said reservoir and positioned so that its output will pour into the said cup,

i. a non-axial vaporizer tube extending vertically from the bottom of the cup into the airspace above the fluid in said reservoir said vaporizer tube being closed at the lower end,

j. an air passage entering the lower end of the vaporizer tube and adjustably connected by means of suitable conduit to the secondary valvable opening in the inlet conduit,

k. at least one passage in the vaporizer tube walls communicating between the reservoir and the interior of said vaporizing tube, said passage being located near the bottom of said tube,

1. means to adjustably support said vaporizer tube such that its upper end may be physically positioned with respect to the inlet of said eductor tube,

m. a fill port opening into the chamber which comprises the fluid reservoir and which contains a pressure tight removable closure through which fluid may be added. 

1. In a vaporizing device comprising a head having: a. inlet and outlet ports with a first passage communicating therebetween, said first passage having an adjustable restriction between said inlet and outlet ports, b. a second passage in said head communicating with the first passage and terminating in a port between the said inlet port and the said restriction, c. a third passage in said head communicating with said first passage and terminating in a port between the said outlet port and the said restriction, d. a chamber formed in part by said head and defining therewith a fluid reservoir with airspace above the fluid therein, e. an inlet conduit entering said chamber said conduit being in communication with the second passage and having an outlet in the reservoir, f. means for controlling pressure drop between said second passage and said outlet, g. an outlet conduit from said chamber being in communication with the third passage and terminating in an inlet port opening in the airspace above the fluid contained in said chamber, h. a non-axial vaporizer tube disposed vertically in the fluid reservoir extending from a point below the level of the fluid therein to the airspace above the fluid, said vaporizer tube being closed at the lower end, i. an air nozzle entering the bottom of said vaporizer tube, said air nozzle being adjustably connected to the outlet of the inlet conduit at one end and extendinG a short distance above the interior bottom of the vaporizer tube at the other, j. one or more passages in the vaporizer tube walls communicating between the reservoir and the interior of said tube terminating in the zone between the interior bottom of the vaporizer tube and the upper end of the air nozzle, k. means to adjustably support the vaporizer tube such that the open end of said tube may be physically rotated and fixed with respect to the inlet port of the outlet conduit.
 2. The device in claim 1, wherein: said restriction in said first passage is fixed.
 3. The device in claim 1, wherein: said restriction in said first passage is air pressure and spring controlled.
 4. The device in claim 1, wherein: said chamber is physically separate from said casing and is connected thereto by a means forming extensions of said first, second and third passages.
 5. The device in claim 1, wherein: there is an exhaust tube having a check valve means to prevent movement of air from the third passage into the reservoir airspace.
 6. The device in claim 5, wherein: said device has a fill port with a closure thereon, and the removal of the fill port closure closes the valve means in the inlet conduit.
 7. The device in claim 1, wherein the restriction in the first passage causes a pressure drop of about 2 psi but not more than about 20 psi.
 8. The device in claim 1, wherein: the restriction in the first passage is a by-pass valve such that the volume of air passing therethrough is substantially greater than the volume of air passing through the second passage.
 9. The device in claim 1, wherein the ratio of volume of air passing is about 10 to
 1. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the fluid is vaporized in the reservoir airspace before being discharged into the main airstream.
 11. The device in claim 1, wherein: there are air holes slightly above the fluid in the vaporizer tube in which the air enters at the side near the bottom.
 12. The device claimed in claim 1, wherein: there is a fill port opening into the housing which comprises the fluid reservoir through which fluid may be added and which contains a pressure tight removable closure.
 13. The device claimed in claim 1, wherein: there is an exhaust tube containing check valve means to prevent the movement of air from the casing outlet port into the reservoir air space, a fill port closure, said fill port closure closing said valve means in the inlet standpipe of said reservoir upon removal thereof.
 14. In a vaporizing device comprising a head having: a. inlet and outlet ports with a first passage directly connecting therebetween, said first passage having an adjustable restriction between said ports, b. a second passage in said head communicating with the first passage ending in a port between the said inlet port and the said restriction, c. a third passage in said head communicating with said first passage and terminating in a port between the said outlet port and the said restriction, d. a chamber formed in part by said head and defining therewith a fluid reservoir with airspace above the fluid therein, e. an inlet conduit entering said housing in communication with the second passage and extending toward the bottom of the said reservoir chamber, a portion of said conduit passing thru the said air space, and said conduit having a first valvable opening to the reservoir near the top and a second valvable opening to the reservoir near the bottom, valve means in said first and second valvable openings, f. an outlet eductor conduit from said housing in communication with the third passage and terminating in an inlet port opening into the air space above said fluid in said chamber, g. a cup suitably supported in said reservoir opening upward into said airspace and having means therein to define a maximum fluid level, h. an airlift pump the lower end of which is connected to the second valvable primary opening in said inlet conduit the upper end of which extends into the airspace above the fluid in said reservoir and positioned so that its output will pour into the said cup, i. a non-axial vaporizer tube extending vertically from the bottom of the cup into the airspace above the fluid in said reservoir said vaporizer tube being closed at the lower end, j. an air passage entering the lower end of the vaporizer tube and adjustably connected by means of suitable conduit to the secondary valvable opening in the inlet conduit, k. at least one passage in the vaporizer tube walls communicating between the reservoir and the interior of said vaporizing tube, said passage being located near the bottom of said tube, l. means to adjustably support said vaporizer tube such that its upper end may be physically positioned with respect to the inlet of said eductor tube, m. a fill port opening into the chamber which comprises the fluid reservoir and which contains a pressure tight removable closure through which fluid may be added. 